I've been using a version of the "Minion Method" in my offset; mainly because I don't want to get up in the middle of the night.I've got a new and different one now and while the temp gets up pretty quick, it can take up to 2 hours to get a clean burn. My method has been to use a square charcoal basket with 4 sticks vertically in each corner. I also put a larger chunk close to the bottom on one side on the outside of the basket for later smoke as it burns down. I start with a charcoal chimney starter. When hot it goes on top of the basket.